Worcester readies for a parade - and more

Longtime Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade organizer Leo Quinn said that after 30 years, the annual event is more than just a parade. “We call it a happening rather than a parade,” Mr. Quinn said.

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Longtime Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade organizer Leo Quinn said that after 30 years, the annual event is more than just a parade.

“We call it a happening rather than a parade,” Mr. Quinn said. This year will be the 31st year for the parade, which celebrates the Irish, but also celebrates the rich diversity of Worcester. “We invite every nationality in Worcester. A lot of groups tell us it's too cold. The Irish are a hardy lot, though.”

Joining the Irish in this year's parade will be thousands of participants and viewers, as well as the Worcester chapter of the NAACP, the Kombi Albanian American Association, the Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja, the Latin American Health Alliance, Hector Reyes House, the Swedish Federation and the English Social Club.

The 31st annual Worcester County St. Patrick's Parade will step off at noon Sunday at Mill Street and Park Avenue, Mr. Quinn said.

The mayor of the parade, Sean P. Lyons of Boylston, was “elected” by the parade committee because he raised the most money for the event throughout the year.

“Having a mayor is unique too,” Mr. Quinn said. “His job is to blow the silver whistle” to start the parade.

The mayor of the parade has his job, so does the bishop.

“He has to keep his eye on the weather,” Mr. Quinn said. The weather this weekend calls for temperatures in the 40s, but no snow or rain.

Sunday also marks the start of daylight saving time.

“This year we'll have 15 marching bands, a couple more than usual, and better than 30 floats,” Mr. Quinn said. This is the first year the Leicester Town Band will participate in the parade. He said there will be the usual 7,000 to 8,000 people marching in the parade.

Another draw to the popular event this year will be the Derelict's Mid Life Crisis, a local music group.

Marching in the parade will be a smattering of local and state politicians. Two of the men marching this year are running for the U.S. Senate seat recently vacated by John F. Kerry — U.S. Reps. Steven F. Lynch and Ed Markey, both Democrats.

Mr. Quinn said Friendly House always has a big float and lots of participants.

“We'll have at least 60 to 100 kids and adults walking,” said Susan Daly, administrative assistant at Friendly House. She said the theme of their float will be multiculturalism.

“There are so many different nationalities in Worcester,” Ms. Day said. She said kids at Friendly House have been busy cutting out shamrocks this week to decorate the float.

The chairman of the parade committee is Steve Trainor, who has been involved in the event for 16 years. For more parade information, www.stpatsparade.com